WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Councils for the aging all across western Massachusetts on Wednesday celebrated the federally funded “Meals on Wheels” programs and the impact on seniors in their communities.

22News visited some of the hundreds of West Springfield elderly to whom meals are delivered five days a week.

Seniors said the meals they receive, such as today’s Beef Stroganoff are essential to their well being.

“They can’t even go to the store, they wouldn’t make a meal and they wouldn’t eat it. All actually If they didn’t have these meals, they eat like part for lunch and a part for supper. I mean that’s it, so thank God for these meals,” said Marie McGovern of West Springfield.

Nearly half of the 100 seniors living at West Springfield’s Oxford Place complex receive daily meals through “Meals for Wheels.”